Taiwan Needs Special Defense Budget, Says Lai – Feb. 11, 2026
President Lai says reviewing and passing his proposed US$40 billion special defense budget is now more vital than ever, and failing to do so could cause doubts about Taiwan's determination to defend itself. The TAIEX ends the Year of the Snake on a high note and hopes to keep up the galloping momentum into the Year of the Horse. And Premier Cho Jung-tai says he is open to readopting nuclear power in the form of modern modular reactors for a more stable chipmaking power supply. Plus: - Taipei says it will crack down on sanctions-skirting firms after a report listed precision tools tied to Taiwan and Western European countries in use in Russian weapons factories. - Nvidia inks a 50-year lease with Taipei City for its new Taiwan headquarters in the city's Beitou-Shilin Technology Park. The lease is worth US$390 million. - A number of women are taking up the "Guardian Generals" dance, a temple ritual performance that has traditionally been the domain of men.
